We are an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the history, culture and true lives of Romani people worldwide.
We confront racism and oppression wherever we encounter it.
We try to make connections with all the "isms" that make up western culture.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

SARKOZY

FROM HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST

Obama Urged to Raise Roma Expulsions during Sarkozy’s DC Visit

For Immediate Release: January 10, 2011

Washington, DC – Human Rights First is urging President Barack Obama to raise the issue of Roma rights during French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to Washington, DC this week. The organization noted that the United States has often declared a desire to combat discrimination, segregation and violence against Roma and that the President’s meeting with Sarkozy offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate U.S. leadership on this important issue.

As Presidents Obama and Sarkozy met at the White House, Human Rights First’s Paul LeGendre issued the following statement:

“Since July 2010, the French government has dismantled 200 camps populated by Roma and Traveler groups. It has also expelled more than 1,200 Roma individuals from France back to their countries of origin through a variety of means, including mandatory deportation orders and so-called “voluntary” repatriations. The United States’ response to these expulsions is critical. Human Rights First urges you to condemn these acts, as well as the negative stereotyping of Roma by French politicians. Failure to raise this important issue will only undermine the security and safety of Roma throughout Europe.”

In September 2010, Human Rights First led a group of human rights leaders in urging Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to comment publicly on the expulsions and to demonstrate U.S. leadership to combat such discrimination. A copy of that letter is available here.

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FLAG OF THE ROMA

LOLO DIKLO : RrOMANI AGAINST RACISM

Lolo Diklo : Rromani Against Racism is an organization dedicated to providing information about the true situation of the Romani (Gypsies) in the world today. We are committed to confronting racism and oppression wherever it is found.

BACKGROUND

The Romani are a people who are not very well known. We are an ethnic group of people originally from India. We left India and arrived in Europe sometime in the 1300's. There are many theories as to why we left India. This is the work of academics, and we have some. Most Romani are more concerned about daily survival to worry about documentation of our past. We know who we are.

What is known about the Romani is, for the most part, stereotypically based. We are portrayed as romantic, carefree wonderers or child stealers, pick pockets and beggers.

Today the Romani of Europe face the same discrimination they have faced for centuries.